After a rocky start to the year the Dolphins are right in contention for a maiden finals appearance and the ethos of versatile backline star Jake Averillo is a reflection of why.
Averillo, known as 'Avo', was man of the match at five-eighth in the 43-24 win over North Queensland after playing his fourth position in five games, including wing, fullback and centre.
That adaptability and preparedness to do whatever it takes has been thrust upon the ninth-placed Dolphins who had 10 Top-30 players out due to injury against the Cowboys.
After losing their first four matches in March the side has been one of the best performed in the NRL with nine wins from their next 13 games.
The win over North Queensland featured four-game rookie prop Aublix Tawha, club debutant front-rower Peter Hola and winger Tevita Naufahu with just two games under his belt.
Averillo said coach Kristian Woolf had kept faith through the poor start to the season and injury crisis, backing the players in the squad to do the job.
"It's a bit weird, we don't really think about (the injuries) to be honest," Averillo said.
"I think Kristian has just really built a nice culture there where everyone has a lot of confidence in each other and the coaching staff as well.
"They show a lot of faith in us and I think it's reflecting out on the field, no matter who comes into the team.
"That is just the DNA we're trying to build. Obviously the young guys that come in are going to make mistakes but their hard work is there, so that's the main thing."
The Dolphins, on 22 points, have a bye this week before taking on the Warriors (away), Sydney Roosters (home), Manly (away) and Brisbane (away) before hosting Gold Coast and Canberra.
They have the best for-and-against of any side apart from Melbourne and a finals berth, which appeared impossible at the end of four rounds, is now within their grasp.
"It would be a good achievement," Averillo said.
"It's a cliche, but we got to take it week-by-week.
"I think you can't afford to lose too many games in a row, especially with how tight the competition being is. You've just got to keep stacking those wins."
Averillo said he was more than comfortable about playing No.6 with Kodi Nikorima out injured.
"I played my juniors at five-eighth, so it sort of comes a bit more naturally," he said.
"I just like to play to my strengths wherever I am playing and it seems to be working well."
